Breaking the chain

Heather Reid a sixteen year old girl is found collapsed in Howdon - she has run away from her home on West Percy road North Shields, because she is pregnant. She is taken to Willington Quay Maternity hospital where upon she gives birth to a baby Girl that she names Dawn because the dawn was breaking when she was giving birth. After complications set in Heather dies of Toxaemia and her father will not bring up a bastard child. Dawn is adopted by two university lecturers - follow her story as her real father seeks her out and a court battle ensues. this is a tragic story that will have you reading until the end.

35. 35

“Your dinner is out; come and sit at the table with your father and I.’

“I have made you what you asked for.’

“Dawn sat down and looked at her parents.’

“Mother please stop fighting me over Jim; I will not choose you both over Jim.’ You were the ones who brought me up and I respect that but Jim is part of my life too and I want to get to know him.’

Alright dear, if this is what you want so be it.’

“I do mother, I love you both very much nothing will ever change that.’

“Now can I please turn on the radio because Jim is giving an interview and they are playing his songs?’

“Yes alright said her mother reluctantly.’

Dawn shot out of her seat and adjusted the controls on the radio until she found the right frequency. The interview had just started and Dawn listened to every word as they asked him how it felt to be a father.’ Jim was silent for a good minute before he spoke.

“It feels as though something that was lost in my life has now been found. I have been empty for so many years now and now my life is full again I am ready to work and I am recording my own music again.’

“Tell me Jim what has brought about this change.’

“Dawn my daughter has made me realise that she is the most important part of me and without her I am nothing.’

“She makes getting up each morning a pleasure.’

“Tell me about Dawn what is she like?’

“Dawn is so beautiful, she has this infectious smile, and you cannot help but smile with her. “She is so talented as well; her photos that she has taken herself are worthy of any professional and I do not say that because she is my daughter. She captures life and you feel everything through her work.’

“I have looked at your daughter’s work Jim and she has certainly got a gift.’ For someone who is only seven years old these pictures are amazing.’ “Dawn Gales, well there’s a name you won’t forget will you.’

Doreen was furious; “Dawn Gales she spat; her name is Dawn Laws Hart.’

Doreen got up and turned off the radio.’

“You see Gordon they are trying to change her name now.’

“Mother, please calm down;

“I won’t stand for this I tel… Doreen’s face turned grey and she held herself as the pain surged across her chest and she collapsed on the floor.’

“Mother shouted Dawn as she ran to her side.

“Call an ambulance daddy, quick.’

Gordon ran to the phone and dialled 999.

“Which service do you require sir.

“Ambulance, please come quick I think my wife is having a heart attack.’

Gordon brought a cushion from the sofa and placed it under his wife’s head.

Doreen’s eyes had gone cloudy and her breath very shallow as she lay unconscious on the floor. By the time the ambulance arrived it was too late Doreen Laws Hart was dead.’ Dawn was crying uncontrollably as the ambulance men took her mother away after a doctor had pronounced the time of death at seven fifteen that evening.

The doctor gave Dawn a sedative and she slept until the next morning when she woke she went straight into her mother’s room. It was empty; she found her father sitting